Bow making templates and methods of use

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a bow making template that includes a non-rectangular body, a main slot within the body, a first angular slot within the body, a second angular slot within the body, and a plurality of ribbon positioning surfaces disposed on the body.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/085,461, filed Aug. 1, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to templates utilized in the construction of bows, as well as methods of use.

BACKGROUND

Constructing bows of uniform shape and size by hand can be a difficult and time consuming process. Devices and methods are continually sought to enhance the uniformity of hand-made bows, as well as enhance a user's bow making efficiency.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of a bow making template includes a non-rectangular body, a main slot within the body, a first angular slot within the body, a second angular slot within the body, and a plurality of ribbon positioning surfaces disposed on the body.

Another embodiment of a bow making template includes a body, an aperture disposed on the body, a plurality of hooks, and a plurality of aligning elements.

Another embodiment of a bow making template includes a dodecagonal body, an aperture disposed on the body and a plurality of ribbon positioning surfaces disposed on the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a bow making template according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of another embodiment of a bow making template according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bow making template according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bow making template according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, shown in an unfolded configuration;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, shown in an unfolded configuration;

FIG. 10 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 18 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 19 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 20 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 21 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 22 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 23 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 24 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 25 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 26 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 27 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 28 depicts a step of a bow making method that utilizes the bow making template embodiment of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be discussed in relation to FIGS. 1-3 and 8, a first embodiment of a bow making template may generally include a non-rectangular body, a main slot within the body, a first angular slot within the body, a second angular slot within the body, and a plurality of ribbon positioning surfaces disposed on the body. It should be understood, however, that particular embodiments of the bow making templates described herein may not include one or more of the features set forth above and/or incorporate additional features.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of bow making template 100 may include body 110, main slot 120, first angular slot 130, second angular slot 140, first ribbon positioning surface 150, second ribbon positioning surface 160, third ribbon positioning surface 170 and fourth ribbon positioning surface 180. As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper portion of body 110 may be constructed of a material of increased thickness in comparison to the rest of the body. This increased thickness provides additional rigidity in the upper portion of body 110 during the bow making process, allowing for a more durable template. This increased thickness may be provided by a fold-over portion 112 disposed on body 110. An embodiment of template 100 that includes fold-over portion 112 in an unfolded configuration (e.g., a blank) is shown in FIG. 8. However, embodiments of template 100 need not include fold-over portion 112, as entire body may be constructed of a material of uniform thickness (as depicted in FIG. 3), or a material of a tapered or varying thickness.

Embodiments of template 100 may be constructed of paper, cardboard or plastic. Further, such materials may comprise foldable sheets, depending on the application. However, embodiments constructed of materials such as injection-molded plastic, vinyl, wood and metal without requiring any fold-over portions are also contemplated.

A ribbon (or any other suitable elongated article known in the art) may be made into a bow through utilization of bow making template 100. The ribbon may be manipulated and secured into a bow structure through the process illustrated in FIGS. 10-16. The following detailed process steps (and/or accompanying figures) may also be captured in a printed set of instructions.

As depicted in FIG. 10, a length of ribbon 190 may be woven through first angular slot 130 and second angular slot 140. Accordingly, the free ends of ribbon 190 extend to the left and the right of template 100. In some embodiments of template 100, a central location on the template may be marked by a line 114. Line 114 may be used to align a central point of ribbon 190 (which may also be marked by a line 116). Ribbon 190 may then be folded (e.g., turned, bent, creased, etc.) on first ribbon positioning surface 150 and second ribbon positioning surface 160. Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 11, the free ends of ribbon 190 may extend on the top surface of template 100 towards third ribbon positioning surface 170 and fourth ribbon positioning surface 180. Ribbon 190 may then be folded (e.g., turned, bent, creased, etc.) on third ribbon positioning surface 170 and fourth ribbon positioning surface 180. Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 12, the free ends of ribbon 190 may extend underneath template 100.

As also depicted in FIG. 12, one or more fasteners 192 may be utilized to secure the ribbon in such configuration. Fasteners may be staples, stitching, rivets, glue, any other conventional fastener, or any combination thereof. Fastening the ribbon in a particular configuration may also be accomplished by the application of heat (such as from a wood burning device). The application of heat may melt the ribbon in specific areas, therefore securing the ribbon in a particular configuration. The fastening of ribbon 190 occurs in the area over main slot 120 of template 100. Therefore, ribbon 190 is secured to itself, but is not secured to template 100, and may be easily removed from the template.

As depicted in FIG. 13, the configured ribbon 194 may then be removed from template 100. Configured ribbon 194 may be tied and/or cinched in the middle through employment of a tying element 196, such as a length of thread, string, ribbon and/or wire. One embodiment of the tying and/or cinching process is illustrated in FIGS. 14-16. FIG. 16 represents the bow 198 that is produced through a bow making process utilizing template 100.

Referring back to FIGS. 4-5 and 9, a second embodiment of a bow making template may generally include an octagonal body, an aperture disposed on the body, a plurality of hooks, and a plurality of aligning elements. It should be understood, however, that particular embodiments of the bow making templates described herein may not include one or more of the features set forth above and/or incorporate additional features.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, an embodiment of bow making template 200 may include body 210, aperture 220, a first hook 265, a second hook 270, a third hook 275, a fourth hook 280, a first aligning element 285 and a second aligning element 290. First aligning element 285 may have a first protrusion 286 and a second protrusion 287, both of which extend outwardly from the first aligning element. Similarly, second aligning element 290 may have a first protrusion 291 and a second protrusion 292, both of which extend outwardly from the second aligning element. As depicted in FIG. 4, the hooks and/or aligning elements may be elevated with respect to the rest of body 210. This elevation allows space for a ribbon to slide under the hooks and/or aligning elements. As with template 100 above, template 200 may be constructed by the folding of a flat sheet of material (e.g., a blank). FIG. 9 depicts template 200 as a blank in an unfolded configuration.

Embodiments of template 200 may be constructed of paper, cardboard or plastic. Such materials may be foldable sheets, depending on the application. However, further embodiments constructed of materials such as injection-molded plastic, vinyl, wood and metal are also contemplated.

A ribbon (or any other suitable elongated article known in the art) may be made into a bow through utilization of bow making template 200. The ribbon may be manipulated and secured into a bow structure through the process illustrated in FIGS. 17-22. The following detailed process steps (and/or accompanying figures) may also be captured in a printed set of instructions.

As depicted in FIG. 17, a length of ribbon 295 may be located between second hook 270 and first aligning element 285, as well as between fourth hook 280 and second aligning element 290. When in this configuration, ribbon 295 may be held in place by being located underneath hooks 270, 280 and the protrusions 287,291. Accordingly, the free ends of ribbon 295 extend diagonally from template 200. In some embodiments of template 200, a center position on the template may be marked by a line 214. Line 214 may be used to align the center point of ribbon 295 (which may also be marked by a line 216).

As depicted in FIG. 18, the free ends of ribbon 295 may then be looped, such that the free ends both terminate in the center of template 200. In this configuration, ribbon 295 is now also located between first hook 265 and first aligning element 285, as well as between third hook 275 and second aligning element 290. As before, when in this configuration, ribbon 290 may be held in place by being underneath hooks 265, 275 and the protrusions 286,292. As depicted in FIG. 19, the outer ends of the loops of ribbon 295 may then also be brought underneath hooks 265, 270, 275, 280.

As also depicted in FIG. 19, one or more fasteners 292 may be utilized to secure the ribbon in such configuration. Fasteners may be staples, stitching, rivets, glue, any other conventional fastener, or any combination thereof. Fastening the ribbon in a particular configuration may also be accomplished by the application of heat (such as from a wood burning device). The application of heat may melt the ribbon in specific areas, therefore securing the ribbon in a particular configuration. The fastening of ribbon 295 occurs in the area over aperture 220 of template 200. Therefore, ribbon 295 is secured to itself, but is not secured to template 200, and may be easily removed from the template.

As depicted in FIG. 20, the configured ribbon 294 may then be removed from template 200. Configured ribbon 294 may be tied and/or cinched in the middle through employment of a tying element 296, such as a length of thread, string, ribbon and/or wire. One embodiment of the tying and/or cinching process is illustrated in FIGS. 20-22. FIG. 22 represents the bow 298 that is produced through a bow making process utilizing template 200.

Referring back to FIGS. 6, and 7, a third embodiment of a bow making template may generally include a dodecagonal body, an aperture disposed on the body and a plurality of ribbon positioning surfaces disposed on the body. It should be understood, however, that particular embodiments of the bow making templates described herein may not include one or more of the features set forth above and/or incorporate additional features.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a bow making template 300 may include body 310, aperture 320, a first ribbon positioning surface 325, a second ribbon positioning surface 330, a third ribbon positioning surface 335, a fourth ribbon positioning surface 340, a fifth ribbon positioning surface 345, a sixth ribbon positioning surface 350, a seventh ribbon positioning surface 355 and an eighth ribbon positioning surface 360.

The depicted embodiments of template 300 may be constructed from a sheet of paper, cardboard or plastic. However, further embodiments constructed of materials such as injection-molded plastic, vinyl, wood and metal are also contemplated.

A ribbon (or any other suitable elongated article known in the art) may be made into a bow through utilization of bow making template 300. The ribbon may be manipulated and secured into a bow structure through the process illustrated in FIGS. 23-28. The following detailed process steps (and/or accompanying figures) may also be captured in a printed set of instructions.

As depicted in FIG. 24, a length of ribbon 390 may be placed on top of template 300 with one free end terminating over aperture 320. Accordingly, the other free end of ribbon 390 extends diagonally away from the template. Ribbon 390 may then be folded (e.g., turned, bent, creased, etc.) on first ribbon positioning surface 325.

Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 25, the free end of ribbon 390 may extend behind template 300 towards eighth ribbon positioning surface 360. Ribbon 390 may then be folded (e.g., turned, bent, creased, etc.) on eighth ribbon positioning surface 360. Accordingly, as also depicted in FIG. 25, the free end of ribbon 390 may extend on the top surface of template 300 towards fourth ribbon positioning surface 340. Ribbon 390 may then be folded (e.g., turned, bent, creased, etc.) on fourth ribbon positioning surface 340. Accordingly, as also depicted in FIG. 25, the free end of ribbon 390 may extend behind template 300 towards fifth ribbon positioning surface 345. Ribbon 390 may then be folded (e.g., turned, bent, creased, etc.) on fifth ribbon positioning surface 345.

Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 26, the free end of ribbon 390 may extend on the top surface of template 300 towards second ribbon positioning surface 330. Ribbon 390 may then be folded (e.g., turned, bent, creased, etc.) on second ribbon positioning surface 330. Accordingly, as also depicted in FIG. 26, the free end of ribbon 390 may extend behind template 300 towards third ribbon positioning surface 335. Ribbon 390 may then be folded (e.g., turned, bent, creased, etc.) on third ribbon positioning surface 335.

Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 27, the free end of ribbon 390 may extend on the top surface of template 300 towards seventh ribbon positioning surface 355. Ribbon 390 may then be folded (e.g., turned, bent, creased, etc.) on seventh ribbon positioning surface 355. Accordingly, as also depicted in FIG. 27, the free end of ribbon 390 may extend behind template 300 towards sixth ribbon positioning surface 350. Ribbon 390 may then be folded (e.g., turned, bent, creased, etc.) on sixth ribbon positioning surface 350. Accordingly, as depicted in FIG. 28, the free end of ribbon 390 may extend on the top surface of template 300 and terminate at aperture 320.

As also depicted in FIG. 28, one or more fasteners 392 may be utilized to secure the ribbon in such configuration. Fasteners may be staples, stitching, rivets, glue, any other known fastener, or any combination thereof. Fastening the ribbon in a particular configuration may also be accomplished by the application of heat (such as from a wood burning device). The application of heat may melt the ribbon in specific areas, therefore securing the ribbon in a particular configuration. The fastening of ribbon 390 occurs in the area over aperture 320 of template 100. Therefore, ribbon 390 is secured to itself, but is not secured to template 300, and may be easily removed from the template.

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some of the diverse embodiments of the templates have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations that have been discussed herein, and others that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the claims. 

1. A bow making template comprising a non-rectangular body, a main slot within the body, a first angular slot within the body, a second angular slot within the body, and a plurality of ribbon positioning surfaces disposed on the body.
 2. A bow making template comprising a body, an aperture disposed on the body, a plurality of hooks, and a plurality of aligning elements.
 3. A bow making template comprising a dodecagonal body, an aperture disposed on the body and a plurality of ribbon positioning surfaces disposed on the body. 